medieval monastery gardens

1. What is a monastery garden?
2. Why did monasteries have gardens?
3. What was a medieval garden called?
4. What are the rooms in a monastery called?

What is a monastery garden?

The monastery garden is a symbolic place where medicinal plants have both therapeutic use and religious meaning. The cloister is a natural as well as a spiritual space, where the monastic virtues are expressed by the geometry of the alleys and the floral composition.

Why did monasteries have gardens?

Monastic gardens provided medicine and food for the monks and for the local community. Herbs were cultivated in the 'physic garden' composed of well-ordered rectangular beds, while orchards, fishponds and dovecotes ensured there would be food for all.

What was a medieval garden called?

A Pleasaunce was a large complex pleasure garden or park. The word paradise comes from a Persion word for a walled garden. The term was used by St. Gall to refer to an open court in monastery garden, where flowers to decorate the church were grown.

What are the rooms in a monastery called?

A monastery complex typically comprises a number of buildings which include a church, dormitory, cloister, refectory, library, balneary and infirmary.